The faces of generosity

Bob Perkins '55 (left) and Aida Gil '06 at the Dartmouth College Fund Scholar luncheon. (photo by John Douglas)

Wright, a Red Sox fan, was pleased with his gift of a White Sox cap, but doffed it as he began to speak. (photo by Laura DeCapua)

Each year during Homecoming weekend, donors who provide critical support for Dartmouth's need-blind admissions program come face to face with the beneficiaries of their generosity. Their gifts, through the Dartmouth College Fund Scholarship Program (DCFP), help sustain a need-blind admissions policy that ensures access and full scholarship aid for qualified students, regardless of their financial need. This year, 76 donors and 53 students got to know each other over lunch and to hear what it feels like to be on the receiving - and the giving - end.

Among the speakers at the DCFP Scholar Luncheon were President James Wright, Trustee Emeritus Barry MacLean '60, Th'61, William R. Daniel '78 and Anthony Bramante '06. Wright and his wife, Susan, contribute to the Program every year. "Susan and I began our philanthropy with what we thought would be a one-time gift....in celebration of my inauguration as president in 1998," he said. "But we're hooked. We realized that giving is not a one-time thing. [We realized] that our own special occasion needed to be an annual occasion in order to meet an annual need and embrace an annual opportunity. This luncheon," said Wright, "is an integral part of Homecoming for Susan and me. We always take pleasure in the chance it gives us to celebrate both our undergraduates and you, their supporters."

Bramante '06, who had just wrapped up organizing a record number of Dartmouth Outing Club trips, said that community and continuity were hallmarks of his own Dartmouth experience. "Not only do we want to thank you for being dedicated to and passionate about this College and its students, but we owe you so much gratitude for using that dedication and passion to make it possible for so many others to share."

But the event wasn't limited to heartfelt expressions of appreciation. Students got a chance to do some serious networking with their patrons. Yana Rozental '07 said of her lunch companion Merle Adelman '80, a marketing consultant, "It was a great opportunity to meet Merle. I look forward to keeping in touch with her in the future." And Bob Perkins '55 traded ideas about how Aida Gil '06, who received scholarship aid because of his generosity, might pursue her interest in international relations through an internship with Daimler Chrysler, the company to which he devoted his career.